Greater Cleveland
Long-standing experience working with fine and decorative art collections. For nearly seven years I was the Executive Director of The Shaker Historical Society where I was responsible for everything from educational programming & exhibits, collections & library management, the archives, interns and interpretation to marketing, event planning, development, buildings & grounds and daily operations. Also interested in curatorial, private lecturing or adjunct lecturer positions to teach decorative arts, museum & gallery studies, art history or social history. I was an adjunct lecturer at the Maxine Goodman Levin College for Urban Studies at Cleveland State University in January, and until recently was President of Cleveland Decorative Arts, a nonprofit group dedicated to learning.
"Make Mine a Mocha" Oct 2021 https://www.ealonline.com/editorial/toc.php?id=2110; "Japanning From Sap to Chestnuts" Jan 2022; https://www.ealonline.com/editorial/toc.php?id=2202; "Fireside Bellows" to be published June 2022.
Periodically write articles on a range of American historical topics before 1840. Some topics include Japanning, Bellows, Mochaware, Quillwork and Colonial Letter Delivery.
From Jan 13, 2020 to the end of 2022, I loved teaching as an adjunct lecturer in Nonprofit Management and Administration in the Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs. For the rest of my time I was settling my parents' estate, while writing about decorative and art history. I also have been preparing for a museum exhibit and writing a comic book based on the life of Orville Hungerford of Watertown, NY.
For nearly seven years I was happy to serve The Shaker Historical Society as its director of education and administration and as its executive director where I was responsible for the business of running the museum, including but not limited to development, educational programming & exhibits, collections & library management, the archives, interns, volunteers, interpretation, marketing, event planning, buildings & grounds, security, web and social media presence, publications and daily operations. The Shaker Historical Society operates in partnership with the Ohio Historical Society. During my tenure, membership increased and was more diverse, public awareness on facebook increased from 200 followers to 1500 and two major National Park Service grants were awarded for a $40K roof and masonry repair and the installation of an ADA ramp and designated parking space. Also received notice of a special bequest in October 2019 which has generated $350k for the museum. I also served on the Board of the Ohio Museums Association and lectured several times at annual conferences for it, the Association of Midwest Museums, the American Association for State and Local History and for an Archaeology conference in New Orleans (co-author of paper presented by colleague Elizabeth Hoag).
Strategic planning with grant-funded consultant to update strategic plan. All staff and board participated
Responsible for daily operations, education programming, collections care, interns, research and communications with the Ohio Historical Society. Secured grant funding from the OHRAB for a project to reorganize and index the map and stereoview collections. Arranged the restoration of the roof by the Ohio Historical Society.
Organized and managed cross-functional teams and client relationships for the British Science Association-funded Folk Fae Fife Science Festival in support of Paul Gardner. My role was to coordinate and plan science events and demonstrations at various educational sites across Fife and to create a website celebrating Fife's scientists and innovators. [nb Dates are approximate].
Provided adminstrative support to the Fife Council-funded education project, Folk Fae Fife, a celebration of science, innovation and technology in the Kingdom of Fife. Coordinated events and programs for audiences of all ages, with schools, universities, museums and community organisations. Researched Fife scientists and innovators. Prepared programmes and presented lectures to community groups. Event promotion. Created website featuring important scientists and innovators from Fife for the University of St Andrews and the British Science Association.
The Whistlers' Silver Collection and their Distinctive Collector's Mark, a thesis with an illustrated catalogue.